Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Plant and Krauss Rock the House

If you’ve spent any time listening to Robert Plant and Allison Krauss’ collaboration, Raising Sand, I’d say the show at Rupp Arena was just what you were looking for. After all, with two such talented musicians (not to mention their supporters and back up band members), watching the orchestration of all the sounds into the familiar jams is a great part of the enjoyment. And they certainly didn’t disappoint.

T-Bone Burnett, a country/rock-n-roll songwriter/producer/musician was stand-out, even as a supporter, Krauss brought her trademark fiddling and soulful voice, and mandolins, steel guitars, banjos, acoustics, electrics all added to the country-rock-symphony–and then there was Plant.

Even having heard the album, there is something more than faintly odd about seeing Robert Plant singing gospel. Perhaps pleasingly odd, but odd nonetheless. And, what about the dirge-like backcountry cover of Black Dog? The harmonies, the haunting qualities, the surprise–embodies the character of this collaboration.

Many in the seats next to me were enthusiastic about the performance and yelled out their sentiments. I even saw a few lighters going. I’ve also heard comments on the other side of things with attendees citing an uneven pace or stating they just kept waiting for it to pop.

While I personally couldn’t disagree more, I can see where they’re coming from. I think that this particular kind of collaboration is one that takes both the artists and their audience outside a comfort zone–and the reactions are bound to be mixed. Overall, though, the performances were stellar, and we in Lexington are exceptionally fortunate to have the opportunity to see a show of this magnitude.

Thanks Allison, Robert and Rupp arena for a great night!